We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.

New!Find and book your ideal hotel on TripAdvisor — and get the lowest prices

Good value motel right on Dallas road - seriously, what a view! Large rooms, comfy beds. Senior's rates! Kitchenettes. Drift back to the early 60's......Very friendly helpful staff. Downside: bit noisy being on a main thoroughfare. Also, walls are pretty thin.

Room Tip: Top floor end rooms are great but have poor wifi connectivity.

See more room tips

Stayed October 2013, traveled solo

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Helpful?

1Thank pennymasae

Report

Ask pennymasae about Surf Motel

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

I have stayed here several times over the years, and I always look forward to it. The rooms are absolutely spotless, and of course the view is stunning. Though it's very pleasant to stay in the summer when the weather is fine, the off season is really my favourite. During our recent stay, we awoke one morning to thick fog roiling outside our window and the sound of foghorns out in the strait. It's wonderful to be able to keep an eye on the ocean at all times and be so close to some of the beautiful seaside walking paths Victoria offers.The rooms are well appointed, comfortable and quite spacious, complete with a glamorous pink bathroom. Staff are lovely and unfailingly helpful. True enough, the bus does go by the front of the hotel and it is a few minutes' walk to downtown, but if you love the ocean and value a small, old-style motel, this is the place for you.

Room Tip: Room 307 is really special - on the end of the building, top floor.

See more room tips

Stayed September 2013, traveled as a couple

Helpful?

1Thank seaward14

Report

Ask seaward14 about Surf Motel

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

We stayed for two nights on the top floor corner right near the motel sign in a big room with a kingsize bed, a kitchenette with everything we could want to prepare a meal. The bathroom still has it's pink and black tiles but was spotless along with everything else. Yes, Dallas Rd is noisy with cars and buses, yes the windows and sliding doors probably need replacing but sit out on the balcony with a cold beer on a warm evening and you will forget all about those things. It's all about the location! We loved walking around James Bay, also easy walk into town and a supermarket. We walked the breakwater every morning and evening. The staff were all friendly and helpful. We had been on the road for 6 weeks and it was a very pleasant place to relax and unwind before the long flight home.

Stayed September 2013, traveled as a couple

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Helpful?

2Thank Maudie56

Report

Ask Maudie56 about Surf Motel

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

I really can't improve on the lengthy, detailed and enthusiastic review by Foodyguru. My girlfriend and I stayed here for "one night" after an Alaskan cruise. We liked it so much we stayed 3 nights and would have stayed longer, but we were already on day 32 of a 36 day road trip and needed to get back to So. Cal. Yes, a little dated, but the staff, especially Riley, are so helpful and the place has everything you need, including a kitchenette with stove. If you must have a microwave, however, you need to bring your own!

Room Tip: Every room has an ocean view!!!! But the corner room is exceptional.

See more room tips

Stayed July 2013, traveled with friends

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Helpful?

1Thank latergatorSanDiego

Report

Ask latergatorSanDiego about Surf Motel

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Had to run over to Victoria for a business trip and was running into availability problems for the night I had to be there. I happened upon this little motel and after reading the reviews thought I would give it a try. I was very happy to see that I can rely on trip advisor as the reviews are right on the money. It is an older motel so quite dated (there was no attempt made to hide this fact) but it is spotlessly clean, in a fantastic part of town, helpful and friendly staff. The best part is the amazing water views from every room, you can sit in the comfortable leather chairs and watch all the marine traffic go by. Now I feel I have a little hideaway in Victoria that I can go to and not have to worry about spending a fortune.

Room Tip: All the rooms have the view so any room is a good one.

See more room tips

Stayed June 2013, traveled on business

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Helpful?

4Thank Brad G

Report

Ask Brad G about Surf Motel

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

I first stumbled upon this place about 20 years ago when I was travelling with a friend and we were walking all over Victoria,like bohemians, exploring shops,cafes, with our backpacks...We never got the chance to stay there in those days however.... I am happy to report that The Surf Motel is still there and that Dallas Road is just as gorgeous as ever... .James Bay residential neighbourhood houses, older condo complexes, senior's residences on one side and the full-on Pacific ocean on the other side! Lots of pretty walking areas and a long paved trail run alongside the ocean at street level , allowing access down to other paths right along the ocean. This area is a haven for runners, dog walkers ,strollers.... lots of greenery and nature right at the doorstep of the surf motel! I chose it for sentimental reasons and thought it must be fantastic for winter storm watching due to its' proximity to the raging ocean but when I was there a few weeks ago, mid May, the ocean was very calm and I even had a few sunny days!

I had also picked this motel as I knew I wanted to walk a lot, so I knew I could walk to the local park, Beacon Hill (about 20 minutes stroll), and find the petting zoo full of peacocks and goats and this time, week old Vietnamese pot bellied piglets! To get into town, I walked as well. It took about 25 minutes at a medium pace. There are busses nearby and fairly frequent service from what I could see, so walking isn't necessary, just that I wanted to do it.

So the motel....family-run, very nice people. Extremely accommodating. I was on the second of three stories, would have preferred the top floor but as I got there earlier than originally planned, they had a room available immediately for me, if I didn't mind a different floor. I was happy to unload my bag and get ready to head out and explore so I decided to accept that. Next time I'll try for room 318, top left side corner. It faces the cruise ship terminal, which is quite close but it doesn't ruin views or anything.there was only one ship in port during my three day stay and it was cool to watch it leave from the breakwater nearby!( It also may be slightly quieter there The noise I am referring to unfortunately came from heavy bus traffic, turning the corner right at the motel heading downtown. I am a very heavy sleeper and I actually couldn't fall asleep until 1 a.m. because that was when,presumably the last bus made it's trip.)

Busses aside, it's a great place and I'd stay there again in a flash...but upstairs and away from that street corner, I think.

Anyway, you CAN'T have a bad view.no matter which room you stay in. The rooms are simple, clean , efficient and the bed was very comfortable. I had a small very clean kitchenette which I found useful for storing some breakfast things and snacks.

Nearby there is a half mile long breakwater to walk along which is interesting. A small pub style restaurant near the start of that walk, that had good beer and decent appetizers. A 15 minute walk away, passing the cruiseship terminal, is a small dock where houseboats are moored and Barb's Fish and Chips place is down there too. Pricey fish but it's fun to go to order outside and eat under a tarp on a rainy day along with other tourists, locals and sentimental returning Anniversary couples etc...! the neighbourhood is very safe to walk through, and I loved stopping into small indie book and coffee places to get a coffee, buy a second hand book and then end up in an impromptu conversation with a fellow book-type like myself!

Go to Victoria, act like a local! You don't have to participate in all the British pageantry and hoopla if you don't want to and DO stay at The Surf Motel! It'll be a memorable and pleasant visit!

Room Tip: Try to get a room up on the third (top) floor, away from the street corner where the busses turn reg...

See more room tips

Stayed May 2013, traveled solo

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Helpful?

5Thank Foodyguru

Report

Ask Foodyguru about Surf Motel

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

* TripAdvisor LLC is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... (more)

We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.

TripAdvisor LLC is not responsible for content on external web sites. Taxes, fees not included for deals content.